Boys crisis author to speak at SPC

We talk a lot about the achievement gap between white and black students. But do we talk enough about the gender gap between girls and boys? If you think the topic deserves attention, or if you just want to learn more, head to St. Petersburg College next week for a free lecture from a national expert, journalist and author Peg Tyre.

Tyre is the author of The Trouble With Boys, a new New York Times bestseller that describes why boys are floundering more in school than girls. She also wrote this Newsweek cover story on the issue in 2006.

Think the gender gap is a bunch of hooey? Look at the enrollment at just about any college in Florida. At St. Petersburg College, the most recent figures we could conveniently get our hands on (from 2006-07) show 9,020 men (37 percent) to 15,538 women (63 percent).

Tyre's talk begins at 12:45 p.m. Oct. 29. It will be held in the Arts Auditorium on SPC's Clearwater campus, 2465 Drew St. Call (727) 791-2623 for more information.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.